Catholic Problems in Western Canada eBook

The appeal that comes to the Church of Canada from
the Catholic Extension is straightforward. It
needs no apology. It stands its ground on its
own merits. It is not—­let us never
forget it—­an appeal to our charity.
It is a pressing call to accomplish a sacred duty,
a timely warning not to neglect it. And indeed,
active co-operation in the work of Extension is, we
repeat, an unfaltering belief in the reality of our
Catholicism. It knits our soul to the very soul
of the Church, our heart to Her heart.

Strengthened by these highest motives of Catholic
Solidarity and Christian Charity we should give joyfully
and generously. Let us levy a tax on our income,
no matter how small it may be, remembering the fiduciary
character of our earthly possessions. Let us
give our time and our services to this noble Cause.
Let us give lovingly and willingly our children to
the great harvest, if it be God’s will to call
them to His service. But above all let us pray
that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come in our beloved
Country through the Extension of His divine Church.

[1] This chapter formed the substance of a Sermon
preached on “Extension Sunday” in St.
Finnan’s Cathedral, Alexandria, Ont.

CHAPTER III.

PRO ARIS ET FOCIS[1]

Militancy is the characteristic feature of God’s
Church on earth. New dangers, fresh struggles
await Her at every turn of the road in Her onward
march to eternity. Assailed from within by her
own children, attacked from without by bitter enemies,
she is ever working out through the frailties of human
nature her sublime destiny. Not of this world,
but passing through it, She has necessarily to suffer
from the inherent weakness of her children.
It is the human side of the divine Church. Those
who would be scandalized at this ever renascent warfare
against the Catholic Church, in all times and in all
countries, should remember that this hall-mark of
true Christianity is the fulfillment of Christ’s
promise and the realization of his prophecy.

In this great firing line of the Church militant every
Catholic has his place. His marked duty is to
make the divine triumph over the human in his individual
life and through it—­no matter how limited
his circle of influence may be—­in the great
life of the Church and in society at large.
He should make his own the various problems confronting
the Church in his country and help, within the sphere
of his activities, to offer a happy solution.

Two great problems now face the Church in Canada,
and tax to the utmost the wisdom of its leaders:
The race problem and the Ruthenian problem. In
many centres the former has weakened the principle
of authority and paralyzed our efforts of co-operation;
the latter means a tremendous leakage through which
the Church, particularly in Western Canada, is losing
every day an important and vital factor.